Question

[sourpuffgirl]

My job is having a weight loss competition starting this Friday, the 20th. We have 8-weeks to lose however much we want. The person who loses the most will win $500- nice incentive. Is 15-20 lbs obtainable in 8 weeks w/ a clean diet? Also will lifting weights slow down the # on the scales? I don't mind gaining muscle but this competition is solely on weight loss not fat. Any advise would be greatly appreciated....and you all are welcome to start with me online starting Friday!....Best to all...

[not2late]

Originally Posted by sourpuffgirl

My job is having a weight loss competition starting this Friday, the 20th. We have 8-weeks to lose however much we want. The person who loses the most will win $500- nice incentive. Is 15-20 lbs obtainable in 8 weeks w/ a clean diet? Also will lifting weights slow down the # on the scales? I don't mind gaining muscle but this competition is solely on weight loss not fat. Any advise would be greatly appreciated....and you all are welcome to start with me online starting Friday!....Best to all...

Hi and welcome.

WEight loss is really individual. On the first two weeks of Atkins, you can expect to lose 5-10% of the weight you want to lose. That means for a 15-20 pound weight loss goal, you can expect to lose at least 3/4 pound to 2 pounds during the first two weeks, provided you follow the diet to the letter. The more strict you are in following the diet the greater your chances of losing the weight.

As for exercise, on Atkins, exercise is non-negotiable: it's a mandatory part of the diet.

But as I said, weight loss is individual. Your age can affect your rate of weight loss. Generally, younger people have "faster" metabolism and can lose "faster" than older people. Men generally lose weight faster than women. So I hope your boss has factored sex and age into this contest, because it would be wholly unfair if your competitors are 20 year old men or women!

[Desertthorn]

Great answer Megs. Lifting weights is a great part of exercise as it will not only help you lose, but also tone and shape you. Cardio is the most important though

[ladyinred]

What Megs said. They should base it on % of weight lost, rather than actual # of lbs. Why are you asking about a specific amount though? Isn't the contest to lose as much as you can? I think you should do it anyway. It sounds like fun and could be good motivation to keep up with the plan. And you might win! Good luck!

[Elizellen]

Yes - it would be much fairer to be judging on a percentage of body weight lost - or the smaller people wont have a chance to win!!

Go for it anyway including exercise to make it your best chance of losing AND toning up.

[New_Me_In_2005]

Wish I could win $500 for feeling better and improving myself.